The document provides an update on disaster risk management (DRM) priorities and activities in Lao PDR. It discusses the country's legal and implementation challenges to DRM, and summarizes the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery's (GFDRR) achievements since 2009 to develop DRM strategies, assessments, and mainstreaming. It outlines GFDRR's plans during 2014-2016 to further develop hydro-meteorological services, post-disaster reconstruction capacity, and risk financing options. The document also provides background on Lao PDR's climate risks and damage from recent disasters, as well as GFDRR's engagement and partners supporting DRM in the country.

1. COUNTRY PROGRAM UPDATE MAY 2014
KEY PRIORITIES RELATED TO DRM IN THE COUNTRY
In recent years, Lao PDR has taken important steps towards
building resilience to natural hazards. The Seventh National
Socio-Economic Development Plan (7th NESDP 2011-2015)
seeks to mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into development
planning and to create legal frameworks and strategies for
Disaster Risk Management (DRM). However, existing decrees
and regulations on DRM in Lao are limited to defining broad
mandates and functions, resulting in implementation difficulties
and allowing for gaps in assigning clear responsibilities before,
during, and after natural disasters. This is further complicated by
the lack of a legal framework for hydro-meteorological services.
Overall, the Government faces challenges in realizing sectoral
DRM implementation. Moreover, while annual spending on post-
disaster recovery is significant, the country lacks risk financing
frameworks and clear strategies for post-disaster budget
allocations and tracking of funding in post-disaster situations.
GFDRR ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE
The devastating Typhoon Ketsana in 2009 highlighted the
country’s vulnerability to natural hazards and underscored the
need to strengthen national and provincial level capacity in
DRM. Shortly after Typhoon Ketsana, GFDRR started working
with the Government to manage risks and build resilience.
Achievements to date include: (i) the development of a new
draft decree and strategy for DRM; (ii) the development of
risk profiles and integration of DRM into socio-economic
development plans in three provinces affected by Ketsana;
(iii) the development of a national strategy and standard
operating procedures for early warning; (iv) the integration of
DRM into the government’s main planning documents (i.e. the
7th NESDP 2011-2015) and urban development law and; (v)
institutionalizing a Lao-specific post-disaster needs assessment
methodology. The joint Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA)
after Typhoon Haima in 2011 identified additional needs
particularly in the area of mainstreaming DRM into structural
investments.
IBRD 40312
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Lao PDR
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LOOKING AHEAD
During 2014-2016, GFDRR will support the development of a
legal framework for hydro-meteorological services to enhance
disaster preparedness and response. GFDRR will also strengthen
the Government’s capacity to design reconstruction operations,
effectively govern post-disaster reconstruction and make optimal
use of public and private resources. Furthermore, building on
the 2012 GFDRR report “Advancing Disaster Risk Financing and
Insurance in ASEAN Member States,” GFDRR will develop a
feasibility study for risk financing and insurance options. GFDRR
will also support the improvement of understanding risk and
promote risk-informed decision making and planning in various
sectors, including the education sector.
IBRD 40312
SEPTEMBER 2013

2. CLIMATE CHANGE & DISASTER RISK PROFILE
Lao PDR is a small land-locked country located on the
mainland of Southeast Asia. Almost 80% of the population
practice subsistence agriculture. As a low-income country
and an agricultural-based economy, it is considered one of
the most vulnerable countries to impacts of future climate
change in the Southeast Asian region, especially in the
form of droughts and floods causing landslides, river bank
erosion and reduced food security. The most vulnerable
areas are the low-lying areas along the Mekong River and
its major tributaries in the central and southern regions,
as well as the mountainous areas in the northern regions.
Historical data recorded from 1966 to 2009 show that
Lao PDR experiences an average of 1.5 severe floods and
droughts every year.
Recent disasters include the Kammuri flooding (August
2008) which affected about 200,000 people, followed by
Typhoon Morakot (August 2009) and Typhoon Ketsana
(September 2009). Typhoon Ketsana affected more than
180,000 people and resulted in US$58 million of damages
and losses – approximately 0.4% of GDP. In 2011, the
country was hit by Typhoon Haima and Typhoon Nock-
Ten causing US$200 million in damages and losses. More
than 500,000 people were affected and 38 deaths were
reported.
GFDRR ENGAGEMENT
Source of Funding Japan SDTF, SRFF
Resources Awarded US$2,870,000
Resources Disbursed US$1,759,000
Number of projects Ongoing: 1; Completed: 5
KEY INDICATORS
DRR Index1
WDI: 2.25
DRI Class: 6/7
Income Group Lower-Middle
Population 6.288 million (2011)
GDP US$1,320/capita
Poverty 28% of population
Urban Population 34% of total
NATIONAL PLATFORM
National Disaster Prevention and Control Committee
Declared to UNISDR. Focus: Disaster Risk Management and Climate
Change Adaptation
NATIONAL LEGISLATION
A Decree on Disaster Management is under development (2012) with joint
support from GFDRR and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Background
DRM/CCA IN POLICY PAPERS
(as assessed by the DRM specialist)
Mainstreaming: Low High
National Dvt
UNDAF
WB-CAS
CCA Strategy
1. The World Development Indicators (WDI) Disaster Risk Reduction progress score is an average of self-assessment scores, ranging from 1 to 5, submitted by countries under
Priority 1 of the Hyogo Framework National Progress Reports (1-5 scale; 5=best). The Disaster Risk Index (DRI) is a mortality-based index developed in order to enable comparisons of
countries hit by different hazard types (7 classes; 7=high mortality).

3. GFDRR KEY PARTNERS
National Services Ministry of Education, National Disaster Prevention and Control Secretariat (NDPCS), Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Public
Works and Transport, and agencies involved in meteorology, hydrology, and water resource management
International Organizations World Bank, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), UNDP, Office for
the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), WFP, United Nations International Strategy for Disaster
Reduction (UNISDR), Save the Children (Australia), Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), World Bank
Regional Organizations ADB
NGOs/CSOs World Vision, Oxfam, Save the Children, Plan International, Concern International
GFDRR Donors Australia, EU, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom (UK), United
States (USA)
Project Description
PROJECTS AWARDED BY GFDRR 2007-2014
Operationalizing Strategic Plan for Disaster
Management
US$904,000 2008-2013 (Completed)
Supports the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in implementing
the National Strategic Plan for Disaster Management (SPDRM) with a focus on
strengthening early warning systems and improving the country’s legal framework.
Expected outputs include: (i) the development and dissemination of a report on
exposure and risk profile in the three target provinces, provincial DRM action plans
and a Community Based Disaster Risk Management Assessment in selected villages
in the three provinces; and (ii) the report for a National Early Warning Strategy and
establishing a flood forecasting model for the Sekong Basin.
Strengthening the In-Country Capacity for
Disaster Recovery Planning
US$336,000 2009–2013 (Completed)
Strengthened the capacity of the Government in carrying out the Damage and Loss
Assessments (DaLA) to measure the impact of natural disasters. Outputs included: (i) a
handbook on post-disaster needs assessment and recovery for Lao with a tailored DaLA
methodology, standard operating procedures for preparing a post-disaster management
plan and a strategy for mainstreaming DRM into vulnerable sectors and (ii) training
individuals, including staff from line Ministries at central and local levels, on conducting
post-disaster needs assessment using the DaLA methodology for developing a post-flood
recovery and investment plan and mainstreaming DRM into recovery.
Post-Ketsana Community-Driven Disaster
Recovery
US$428,000 2010–2011 (Completed)
Supported the rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged by the Ketsana Cyclone and
assisted the Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF) in developing a DRM strategy. Outputs
included: (i) disaster reduction and response strategy for PRF; and (ii) training of PRF
staff and relevant line Ministries on disaster risk mitigation and response.
Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA)
after Typhoon Haima in 2011
US$52,000 2011 (Completed)
Carried out the joint PDNA. Based on the assessment, the World Bank allocated
US$8 million to assist the Government in the recovery and rehabilitation of the most
affected sectors. The Government also allocated Lao Kip 400 billion (US$50 million
equivalent) for disaster recovery.
Joint Damage, Loss and Needs Assessment for
Post-Ketsana Recovery
US$250,000 2009–2010 (Completed)
Assessed the overall impact of the disaster on the socioeconomic development of
the country and the affected areas. A financial plan for recovery and reconstruction
of the affected areas was drafted based upon the needs of the key sectors of the
economy.
Building Resilience to Natural Disasters
US$900,000 2012 (Ongoing)
Building on the capacity developed under the Phase I program, this program
improves resilience to hydro-meteorological services and early warning systems,;
establishment of a “value-for-money” strategy in disaster reconstruction that
includes strengthening statistical preparedness for Post Disaster Needs Assessments;
and developing a feasibility study for risk financing and insurance options.
PILLARS: Risk Identification Risk Reduction Preparedness Financial Protection Resilient Recovery

4. SYNERGIES WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
UNDP The United Nations Development PRogramme (UNDP) has joint implementation plans with GFDRR and also supports
the National Disaster Management Office in drafting a new DRM plan and relevant laws. UNDP and the World Food
Programme (WFP) are leading the donor coordination in Laos of emergency response in times of natural disaster. An
Inter-Agency Contingency Plan (IACP) has recently been completed.
ADB The Asian Development Bank (ADB) supports the climate change adaptation strengthening project through the
Department of National Disaster Management and Climate Change under the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment.
EU, WFP The European Union (EU) is supporting the World Food Program’s (WFP) regional food security program with a
component which provides meteorological data for agricultural purposes.
World Bank Lao Road Sector Project:
Allocated US$8 million as contingency funding for fixing and upgrading the road sections affected by the 2011
Typhoons Haima and Nock-Ten in Vientiane Province to be more climate resilient.
Hydro-Agronomic and Economic (HAE) Model and Local Adaptation in Lao PDR and Thailand:
Assisted the Governments of Thailand and Laos to develop policy tools for adapting to the impacts of climate change
on water and natural resources in the Mekong River Basin. The outcome will be to develop a pilot Hydrologic-
Agricultural-Economic Model for each country - a hydrological model of the river systems, integrated with agricultural
and economic models to permit assessment of climate change impacts and evaluation of adaptation strategies.
Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Project:
Develops tools to analyze and structure the knowledge on water resources in order to facilitate decision-making
processes.
Lao Poverty Reduction Fund Phase II:
Includes DRM considerations into the community-driven development project design and implementation. For
example, resilient standards for community infrastructure have been developed and are applied within the project. The
project also assists communities to identify disaster risks and develop mitigating measures in their village and koumban
(a cluster of around three to five villages) planning processes.
Mainstreaming Climate Resilience into Public Investments:
Integrates climate risk management into strategic national and sectoral planning and development policies. It improves
the consideration of disasters and climate change in the implementation of public infrastructure through assessing
sectoral risks, developing building codes and capacity building.